Hot rods heat up Cobo: Classic, souped-up rides turn heads at Autorama

George Hunter / The Detroit News

DETROIT — Matthew Reibel stood in awe of a 2008 Chevy Impala SS race car, his mouth agape.

"I like all the cars," the 8-year-old Warren resident said. "But my favorite was the Mustang."

The 56th annual Autorama kicked off Friday at Cobo Center, featuring more than 1,000 souped-up coupes, motorcycles — and, to Matthew’s delight — several tricked-out Ford Mustangs.

The show, which runs through Sunday, attracted kids like Matthew, who attended his second show Friday, and grownups like Ross Keift, who displayed childlike wonder as he stared at a sleek, purple 1941 Ford Coupe.

"It’s pretty sharp," said Keift, who made the three-hour drive from Grand Haven to attend the popular show. "I haven’t been here in a long time, and it’s nice to be back."

Like many of the people who attended the show, Keift isn’t just a classic car fan — he’s also a self-described gearhead.

"I’ve spent nine years working on a 1927 Ford Roadster," he said proudly. "I built it from the ground up.

"Since I was old enough to buy the hot rod magazines from the newsstand, I’ve been into this," said Keift, 59. "It’s in my blood."

The Autorama began in 1953 at the University of Detroit Field House. The show was put on by members of the Michigan Hot Rod Association, who were trying to raise money to build a drag strip.

The show moved to Cobo in 1961, making it the first paid public show held in Cobo Center, Autorama spokeswoman Linda Ashley said.

Although a $10,000 award is given to the winner of the most outstanding car, exhibitors aren’t in it for the money, said Ypsilanti resident Alvin Withem, a 58-year-old General Motors Corp. retiree whose 1934 Ford Coupe has been exhibited in the Autorama since 1999.

"This isn’t about the money; I’d never make back the money I’ve spent," he said of his car, which cost about $60,000 to rebuild.

Withem said he spent about $20,000 replacing the front end of his hot rod, after it was damaged in a deer collision in 2006.

"Everyone keeps asking if I want to sell it," he said of his car. "No way am I selling this car — although I’m sure when I die, my wife will put it up for sale the next day."

Daniel Thomas, 11, of St. Clair Shores peers at a pink-and-green classic car called "Freakshow" during the opening day of the Autorama on Friday at Cobo Center. The 56th annual event features more than 1,000 souped-up cars, trucks and  motorcycles. (Brandy Baker / The Detroit News

 

Billed as "Boogie Man’s 1937 Chevy," this orange hot rod received plenty of gawkers at the first day of Autorama at Cobo Center. Kids and adults alike fawned over the many hot rods at the 56th annual